The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy, a civil society organization, is a research and advocacy-based group in Abuja. It has been working with another organization called the National Tobacco Control Coalition for the passage of the National Tobacco Control Bill which is before the National Assembly. The programmed officer of the advocacy group, Austin Erameh, in this interview with WINIFRED OGBEBO, talks on the need for a stricter tobacco law in the country.
Why the interest in Tobacco Control Bill?
Our interest in this bill is that it should not just get passed as soon as possible but also the executive bill which we believe is a more comprehensive bill should actually get to be harmonized with that of the private-member sponsored bill. The provisions in this bill actually contain far reaching exceptions which we believe will go a long way in being a veritable control tool for distribution as well as manufacturing of tobacco in the country.
We believe too that the media has a crucial role to play considering the fact that the media is a good source of information dissemination as well as formation of public opinion across the society. On the other hand, we are not so insensitive. We also know that smokers also have the right to smoke but we on the other side believe that inasmuch as they have their own right, non smokers’ right should also be protected. So we actually feel for the tobacco industry but we as advocates believe strongly that the control of this tobacco should come into immediate force.
What is the effect of tobacco consumption on people?
The health risk is enormous. The industry gives economic reasons of providing jobs; since we came on board, we have undertaken research and various and numerous reasons are put forward but we as advocates believe that when you sum up the effects of unregulated tobacco consumption, it far outweighs the economic contribution these industries claim to actually provide.
Tobacco is the only commodity or the only proof that you as a consumer, consume and it affects me, a non-consumer of the product. Take for instance, alcohol, it has no second hand effect but in terms of smoking tobacco, just the puff can affect a non-smoker. So it’s actually a public health issue.
Very recently, there was a workshop which actually brought to bear and exposed the mode of manufacturing that actually goes into the industry. It is highly mechanized. So when the industry comes with arguments that they provide jobs, in real sense, the number of jobs that it provides is highly exaggerated. In terms of the farmer, we believe and that is why we advocate for an alternative cropping system that could actually replace tobacco crops and in its stead actually become more environmental friendly. So we are taking these entirely not singularly but on a more comprehensive basis. So we believe that cumulatively, it’s not something we have not considered but we believe that in terms of the economic reasons the tobacco industry provides, it’s really nothing to go by.
What is the global figure on the dangers of smoking?
Globally, six million cancer patients are recorded annually from tobacco uses. Nationally, the recent release of Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) stated that about 50 per cent of youths become victims of tobacco use through second hand smoking and all that.
We are calling on government to support the tobacco farmers to diversify their products and other means of living.
What are your expectations concerning the bill?
We have a well-researched memorandum that has been put forward as an independent advocacy organization as well as members of the coalition. Contained in this memorandum are facts and figures on the amount of taxation the federal government actually gets from tobacco industry.
Like I mentioned earlier, in terms of generating income for the federal government, the tobacco industry, like other industries, is highly subsidized. They give them high level of incentives as companies. In terms of tax generation, they are not really taxed heavily.
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